10 Design Tips For A Tiny House

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Whether you’ve just finished building your first tiny house or you’re looking to redecorate the one you’ve lived in for years, you might be in need of a few tips. Keeping in line with your home’s style, one of your objectives when redecorating should always be finding ways to make your place feel bigger. The wrong decor in a tiny house can make your adorably small home feel like you’re living in a closet. These design tips will help you achieve a fresh look as well as open up your space a bit.

1. Paint A Design On Your Ceiling

When you live in a tiny house, drawing the eye towards the ceiling is a great way to make a room look bigger. One way you can do this is by painting the ceiling a bold color. As long as it contrasts against your walls and decor, it’ll get the job done. If you want to get creative, you can stencil a floral or Aztec design on your ceiling as well. This tends to have more of an effect than simply painting it a solid color. Be sure to start your design from the center and work your way out. Consider these ceiling decor options as well:

Stencil the design around a decorative light fixture

Use decals instead of paint

Install decorative or textured wallpaper

2. Build A Lofted Bed

While having a bed that rests on the floor is more natural, a loft will give you back a significant amount of floor space. As anyone who lives in a tiny house knows, every square foot of floor space is precious and can’t be wasted. Think of all the things you can do with the extra room. You can extend your living room, make yourself an office, or just enjoy a more open house. If building a loft seems like too much of an undertaking, consider raising your bed a few feet with a platform bed frame instead. By using one that has a few drawers, you’ll be able to store most of your wardrobe right there.

3. Use Glass Cabinet Doors

Most people use their kitchen cabinet doors to hide the mess behind them. When you live in a tiny house though, this can significantly shrink your already limited space. Instead, install glass cabinet doors. You can buy them that way or repurpose old window panes you come across. Being able to see into the cabinets will give the illusion that your kitchen area is bigger than it really is and give you more places to show off any knickknacks. Upgrading your cabinet doors can be a quick and easy renovation that can transform your home.

4. Hang Lamps On The Walls

Overhead lighting doesn’t usually work in small spaces as it can come off more like spotlights. Lamps offer better lighting that draws your attention to different areas of a room, making it seem more significant. However, when you live in a tiny house, you don’t want to give up too much floor space for your lamps. Hanging them on the walls instead is the perfect solution and can give your home a modern touch.

5. Buy Window Shades That Allow Maximum Natural Light

Your tiny house likely has a lot of windows, as natural light not only makes your home feel bigger, but it’s also eco-friendly. However, when you’re in need of some privacy so many windows can leave any room feeling a bit too open. Curtains are great for decor, but you’ll also need blinds or shades that allow maximum natural light during the day and offer coverage at night. If you don’t have curtains, decorative shades can be an excellent alternative for your tiny house’s interior design.

6. Rearrange Your Furniture

You don’t always have to spend money to redesign a living space. Sometimes rearranging your furniture can breathe new life into a room, and when you have a tiny house it can give you more floor space. Here are the best ways to do this:

Find your focal point whether it be a window, fireplace, or television

Put your couch or chairs against the wall across from your focal point

Tuck unused stools or ottomans under a table

Place small tables next to your couch rather than in front of it

Get rid of any bulky furniture that adds clutter

A tiny house floor plan renders the ideal layout options, so be sure to check some out if you’re in need of inspiration.

7. Put Shelves Right Below The Ceiling

Like painting your ceiling helps to draw the eye upwards, so does high shelves. If you’re a bookworm, this design tip is perfect for you. Hang your bookshelves just a foot or so below the ceiling to save both floor and wall space. Not only will it make your home feel bigger, but it’s a unique design idea that will make your tiny house stand out.

8. Install Sliding Doors

Rather than using traditional doors to divide sections of your home, use sliding doors or sliding walls. They’re an enormous space saver yet don’t force you to sacrifice your privacy. A sliding door to your bathroom or bedroom will not only free up some floor space, but it will also allow you to hang things on the wall that traditional doors would block or knock into. Additionally, you and your guests will still be able to comfortably use the bathroom, a quality lacking in many other space-saving doors.

9. Create A Glass Wall

If you’re willing to take on a rather large project, consider knocking out a large portion of a wall and replacing it with glass. This is a common design people opt for in tiny houses, as it gives the illusion of infinite space and allows a lot of natural light to enter the home. If you have an outdoor deck or porch area, this wall can even include a sliding glass door for easy access depending on your house’s layout. Simply add large window shades to provide you privacy, and you’re all set! Keep in mind that you’ll be losing a significant amount of wall space though and might need to add more storage elsewhere.

10. Get Creative With Mirrors

We’ve all heard that properly placed mirrors can create the illusion of more space, but when you live in a tiny house you don’t always have room on your walls to hang all of these mirrors. Instead, use the same concept but get more creative with it. For example, hang a few round, honeycomb, or square shaped mirrors on the wall in a unique geometric design. This allows you to work with the unused wall space you already have. You can also purchase reflective furniture or create your own with some old mirrors and glue. The effect works best on tables, desks, and dressers but it can be done with practically anything. One of the most accessible solutions is to put full-length mirrors on all of your doors. These will not only create the illusion of a bigger house but will be useful when you’re getting ready for a night out.

Get Started

Now that you have a few tips in mind, you’re ready to take on your tiny house design project head on. Don’t forget to avoid anything that would make your space feel smaller than it already is, and always keep your need for storage in mind. Whether you’re going for a modern barn feel or something more bohemian chic, you can apply these design tips to any home style. Your tiny home will be on its way toward becoming your dream house in no time!

This article was contributed to Blindster by freelance writer and art enthusiast, Rose Burke, who often writes humorous essays inspired by awkward dating experiences and life’s cruel sense of humor. When she’s not doing that, she’s typically writing entertainment articles on women’s issues, politics, feminism, travel, and other trending topics her readers love. Author of the popular feminist blog series Writings of the Satirical Feminista, Rose is currently focusing on a collection of humorous personal essays while she travels the world.